Man gets suspended sentence for role in shooting

LaJames L. Glass, 20, accepts a sentence of 10 years suspended, three years of probation, from Judge Alex Macaulay in the Anderson County Courthouse, for four counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. Stephanie Glass, the mother of LaJames, stands in the background, wiping an eye, while he stands next to defense attorney Andrew Potter.

ANDERSON - With his mother standing tearfully behind him, LaJames Glass admitted Tuesday that he handed a gun to a friend who almost immediately used it to shoot at a car with four people in it in April.

"There was a fight at a party," Glass said. "He asked me to pass a gun to him. I know it was wrong."

Glass, 20, of Anderson, pleaded guilty to four counts of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. The charges were originally filed as attempted murder counts but were pleaded down to the lesser felony charges.

Prosecutors said Glass was charged with the shooting under the state's "hand of one, hand of all" rules, which allow people to be charged with the main crime even if their role was only peripheral so long as they had knowledge that the crime was going to happen.

He was sentenced to three years of probation with a 10 year suspended prison sentence hanging over his head if he violates probation.

"This is your last shot," Judge Alex Macaulay told Glass.

Defense attorney Andrew Potter said it was a situation that quickly spiraled out of control.

Glass' mother, Stephanie Glass, told Macaulay she wanted to take her son home.

"Not everyone is fortunate enough to have their family with them," Macaulay said to Glass. "They're supporting you. Don't let them down."